Newly diagnosed
pollytps
Member Posts: 12 ✭
Hi all, I was diagnosed straight after Easter and had mastectomy in mid April. Now waiting to have a PET scan to see if it has spread else where, and see medical oncologist to find out about chemo and/or radio therapies. A bit worried about chemo and the side effects. I'm actually more scared/worried about chemo rather than the surgery.
Similar to others, I have really good support from my family and friends but they just don't understand what I'm going through physically and mentally.
Similar to others, I have really good support from my family and friends but they just don't understand what I'm going through physically and mentally.
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Comments
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Fortunately not everyone gets bad side effects from chemo. Unfortunately I know of no way of telling until you start! If chemo is recommended, my advice is to try it. If the side effects become too great, you can always stop. Fatigue and nausea are the main problems, for some they are limited in duration and effect. And sometimes, like me, you don’t get either at all. Hair loss is a pain in the neck but nowadays cold cap can save a lot of one’s hair. A bit of a vent with a professional outside your family/friends circle can be very therapeutic as can professional counselling about coping with your emotions and thought processes, which can be overlooked but are essential to a proper recovery. Best wishes for your next steps.3
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Hi @pollytps, I'm coming to the end of my chemo, I only have 3 sessions to go. The side effects I got were manageable, no nausea thankfully, although I do get quite a bit of fatigue. Unfortunately, they can't predict how you will react to the treatment, but my oncologist told me that most people cope with it quite well, and they are much better at treating side effects these days. It hasn't been fun, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I found the waiting at the start the worst part, once I had a plan I just wanted to get on with it and get it done. If you have access to a McGrath nurse you should definitely get in contact, we have 2 here in Darwin and they have been great. All the best with your treatment.1
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Hi, I am on no 2 of 14 of chemo, followed by radiotherapy (with surgery being first). So day 21 now. It pretty individual on how body copes, but so far Ive been mostly ok nausea wise with great anti everything drugs. The medical oncologist works through with you and will adjust things as needed. I kept a list of everything I was feeling to help and emailed how I was going first week. Nasty cough was unexpected, probably irritated bronchials, so soothers help. Drink lots of water (I didnt first time and was very dizzy, better this time). Drugs clog bowels a bit, so managing that is important. I didnt worry on cold cap for hair, day 17 started moulting so day 19 have a new gi jane and just wearing head covers, bit strange, but not fatal I figure! I have a new routine that includes having a rest/nap.when ever I need! And I now get up if I am in bed at 3 am awake and just do something for a little while, (have a snack, clean the kitchen, or just sit is ok to), rather than lay worried. Hope this helps. Back to masks in public spaces (and no working for me for now for a while, as I cant manage this in events hospitality without too much risk to me is my way of thinking...job will be there when I can get back).
Hope the info helps, and all the very best on your treatment. Statistically I had no hesitation in moving forward on chemo, as I had 15 lymphnodes involves, and recurrance or spread through lymph system needed to be minimised). But ask your medical team all you need to to work through what you need to do, and make decisions with the info gathered on you, including pet scan (mine was clear of other organs and done prior to surgery).4 -
Thanks @Katie46 I’m glad you are coming to the end of your chemo and the side effects you’ve got are manageable. I’m waiting to see my oncologist and my breast care nusre has offered to come with me to support me, which I’m very grateful for. Hopefully the side effects I’m going to have are manageable too.
It’s so wonderful to have this platform to share and hear other people’s experiences. Knowing that I’m not alone has helped me a lot mentally.2 -
Thank you @JenD for the info. Great tips, every little bits help. Just by reading info about side effects on the web has probably given me the anxiety and worry about chemo which I didn't need. But by hearing the experiences you all shared here, it definitely helps calm me down. I'm going to do pet scan this week. Will see my medical oncologist after that. All the best with your treatment.2
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Howdy @pollytps researching things is so dangerous in our situation best advice is if you don’t know ASK a living breathing person who will have the answer or find out for you. There should be a big sign at all cancer centres. That says. DR GOOGLE is information over load and often outdated never rely on it for accuracy2
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@pollytps there are many different chemo regimes tailored to individual circumstances, generally based on the size and type of cancer. As the other ladies have described there is plenty of medication that can be taken as the different side effects occur or as a preventative ie, nausea. The chemo I am on they said I was going to lose my hair, so I didn’t bother with the cold cap process. The treating team work and support you being as healthy as you can be so you can get through your treatment. The fatigue is real and I just sleep as much as my body needs after each session. I find it can be a mind game too knowing that chemo day is coming up, that people are out living their lives, holidays etc while I am in the phase of “waiting” for the weeks of chemo to pass and then onto radiation. The experiences of others currently in the same circumstances helps. How did your scan go and have you seen or got a time for your oncologist appointment?1
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Thanks @Paris_24 I will have my PET tomorrow and oncologist booked for 13th. Hopefully will have an idea of my chemo plan then. I will definitely ask about the cold cap, hopefully it can help reducing the hair loss. Agreed, knowing people out there are enjoying lives and we're waiting for chemo to pass is a challenge. I also think our carers are also going through the emotions too. All the best with your treatment.2
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Hi @pollytps
Your comment about our carers is important - they are going through a slightly different roller coaster to us - one of the most heartbreaking things for me following my diagnosis was when my incredibly stoic husband cried .
I was initially very selective about who I told but I did suggest my husband tell his closest friends so they could be there to support him and to take him out for some “ me time” for him.
Also Consider seeing a psychologist who specialises in cancer related distress - I had a couple of sessions that were quite helpful.
Also I found the podcasts on here from Dr Charlotte Tottmann - “What you don’t know till you do” on here excellent - she is a psychologist socialising in cancer related distress who got breast cancer and talks about the fresh insight it gave her.
Take care and good luck with the petscan.🌺4 -
@Julez1958 thank you. Totally with you. It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones cried. My hubby is a nurse and I’ve never seen him cry before. Thank you for the suggestions, will listen to the podcast. ❤️
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